All in this together? The pandemic, people seeking asylum, and refugees in Australia

On 14 May 2020, the Kaldor Centre hosted its first webinar event: 'All in this together? The pandemic, people seeking asylum and refugees in Australia'.

The everyday lives of Australians have changed dramatically in the past two months, as we try to protect each other from coronavirus. But while the message is that we are ‘all in this together’, the policy responses to this pandemic are playing out with specific, and often severe, consequences for the tens of thousands of people here on precarious visas. 

Is the extended social safety net catching those people still waiting to make a claim for asylum? Will refugees granted only temporary protection be penalised for seeking help? Are people held in immigration detention safe? How are virtual legal proceedings affecting the process of seeking protection?

In this Kaldor Centre virtual discussion, a panel of experts will bring you up to date on the impact of COVID-19 on refugees and asylum seekers in Australia. Send us your questions so we ensure we cover as many perspectives as possible in this one-hour lunchtime webinar.

Listen to the podcast 

Listen to the podcast here, or subsribe through itunes.  

Watch the webinar 

 Meet the speakers

The discussion is moderated by Professor Jane McAdam, Director of the Kaldor Centre for International Refugee Law. She is joined by:

Shukufa Tahiri, Policy Officer at the Refugee Council of Australia and Steering Committee member of the National Refugee-led Advisory and Advocacy Group

Frances Rush OAM, Chief Executive Officer at the Asylum Seekers Centre

Sarah Dale, Centre Director and Principal Solicitor of the Refugee Advice and Casework Service (RACS)